Pavel Buchnevich Bio
Pavel Andreyevich Buchnevich is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 17 April 1995 in Cherepovets, Russia, he began his career with hometown club Severstal Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League before joining the NHL with the New York Rangers in 2016. A left-shooting forward standing 6 ft 3 in tall and weighing 193 lb, Buchnevich has represented Russia at both the junior and senior international levels, building a reputation as a skilled playmaker.
Early Life and Background
Buchnevich was born in Cherepovets, an industrial city in northwestern Russia, and grew up in an athletic household. His mother, Yelena Razumova, is a former competitive skier, while his father, Andrey, is a youth soccer coach who formerly worked at a steel factory. The combination of two sport-minded parents helped shape his early interest in athletics and competitive play.
He came up through the local youth system in Cherepovets and played 102 games for Almaz Cherepovets of the Junior Hockey League, where he tallied 40 goals and 70 assists for 110 points. Despite a shortened 2011–12 season caused by injury, his development remained on track, and he signed a three-year professional contract with Severstal Cherepovets ahead of the 2012–13 KHL campaign.
Path to Hockey
Buchnevich split his first professional season between Almaz and Severstal, recording 23 points through 24 games and earning a 10th-overall ranking among international skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. His strong play led to the New York Rangers selecting him 75th overall in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Rather than cross the Atlantic immediately, Buchnevich chose to stay in the KHL, where he broke out in 2013–14 with 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 48 games. His assist total was the second most by a KHL player younger than 20 in a single season. In his final KHL campaign, he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg, where he switched his jersey number from 89 to 88 and finished the regular season with 16 goals and 37 points.
Pavel Buchnevich Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Buchnevich began his professional career at Severstal Cherepovets in 2012 and quickly developed into one of the KHL’s most promising young forwards. His combination of vision, puck skills, and offensive instincts drew the attention of NHL scouts and helped him land a third-round selection by the Rangers in 2013.
After a strong run in the KHL split between Severstal and SKA Saint Petersburg, Buchnevich signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Rangers on 13 May 2016. He then joined New York’s 2016 development camp and the Traverse City Tournament before making the NHL roster out of training camp.
New York Rangers Breakthrough (2016–2021)
Buchnevich made his NHL debut on 13 October 2016 and recorded his first career point, an assist, in a 5–3 win over the New York Islanders. Later that season, on 5 November, he scored his first NHL goal in a 5–2 victory against the Boston Bruins. Despite missing significant time because of back spasms, he contributed in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs after being reinserted into the Rangers’ lineup in Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Over his five seasons in New York, Buchnevich developed into a top-six forward under head coaches Alain Vigneault and David Quinn. In 2018–19, he recorded a career-high 32 points through 50 games before an upper-body injury briefly sidelined him. He then set career highs in goals (21) and points (38) in 2018–19, signed a two-year, $6.5 million extension in July 2019, and matched career highs in points and assists during the 2019–20 season before the schedule was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his final year with the Rangers in 2020–21, Buchnevich posted a career-best 48 points through 54 games and notched his first NHL hat-trick on 17 April 2021 in a 6–3 win over the New Jersey Devils. He finished his New York tenure as a top offensive contributor and a reliable power-play presence.
St. Louis Blues Era (2021–Present)
On 23 July 2021, the Rangers traded Buchnevich to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Samuel Blais and a 2022 second-round pick. A few days later, he signed a four-year, $23.2 million contract extension with the Blues. He quickly made an impact in St. Louis, helping the team open the 2021–22 season with an undefeated run and ranking third on the club in scoring by March 2022.
He also reached a personal milestone in March 2022, scoring his 99th and 100th career NHL goals in a 7–2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. After recovering from a concussion, Buchnevich returned to the lineup and continued to play a top-six role for the Blues.
Driving Style and Strengths
Buchnevich is regarded as a creative and skilled playmaker with strong puck-handling ability and a quick release. He has shown effectiveness as both a first-line winger and a power-play contributor, complementing linemates with his vision and shot generation. His 1.77 points per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play and 1.75 primary assists per game during 2018–19 highlighted his offensive strengths.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his defining moments are his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins, his first career hat-trick against the New Jersey Devils, and reaching the 100-goal mark in the NHL with the Blues. Internationally, he captured gold at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, bronze at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and silver at the 2015 edition.
Pavel Buchnevich International Play
Junior Career Highlights
Buchnevich made his international debut at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he won a gold medal with Russia. He later represented his country at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, and added a bronze medal at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships before helping Russia capture silver at the 2015 World Juniors.
Senior Career Highlights
After a multi-year absence from international rosters, Buchnevich returned to represent Russia at the 2018 Ice Hockey World Championships, where he recorded a goal and three assists through eight games. He continues to be considered a candidate for future senior international tournaments.
Pavel Buchnevich Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Buchnevich was raised in an athletic family in Cherepovets. His mother, Yelena Razumova, is a former competitive skier, and his father, Andrey, is a youth soccer coach who previously worked at a steel factory. Their sporting background influenced his early development and lifelong commitment to athletics.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Russia, Buchnevich moved to the United States in 2016 to begin his NHL career. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children have not been widely confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Buchnevich is in the final season of his four-year, $23.2 million contract with the St. Louis Blues, which runs through 2025. He remains a top-six forward and a key offensive contributor for the club, providing scoring, playmaking, and power-play production.
Through the early part of the 2024–25 campaign, he has continued to log significant minutes and contribute points for the Blues, building on his prior success in St. Louis. His role on the team’s top forward lines and special-teams units has been central to the Blues’ efforts to remain competitive in the Western Conference.
With contract negotiations and potential free agency on the horizon, Buchnevich’s 2025 performance will be closely watched. His blend of experience, scoring touch, and international pedigree positions him as a major storyline for the Blues as the season progresses.
